RAM requirements

I am ordering a new laptop mainly for presentations. I will be simultaneously running MS Power Point, an in-house software package which queries SQL Server, and a 3-D graphics visualization program. The 3-D program uses 200 megs of RAM on a 133 mhz bus, and the in-house software package and SQL Server use almost 300 megs of RAM on a 133 mhz bus. On a new laptop with a 400 mhz bus, what would be the minimum RAM for all 3 progrmas to run efficiently while concurrently open?

It would also be worth limiting the amount of memory that SQL can use. By default SQL will grab as much as it needs until the machine starts to page. This is fine for a dedicated server, but for a laptop there are other sudden demands for memory...<br /><br />depending on how big the database is, then limit SQL to give it up to say half of your available RAM, and then keep an eye on memory usage (or perhaps more importantly listen if you can hear the disk crunching... <img src='/community/emoticons/emotion-5.gif' alt=';-)' /> )<br /><br />Cheers<br />Twan

I have an HP nx9500 with 2GB of RAM and a 17 inch flat screen TrueBrite display. <img src='/community/emoticons/emotion-1.gif' alt='' /> It's 3.4ghz P4 hyper-threaded. Doesn't that just make you jealous. Needless to say, it's great for running multiple instances of SQL Server, virtual server, playing games, etc. <br /><br />It's a good laptop.<br /><br />MeanOldDBA<br />derrickleggett@hotmail.com<br /><br />When life gives you a lemon, fire the DBA.

By the way, I have a question - how do you usually work? Do you open open application at a time, do some work and close it? Or rather open a lot of tools and don't close it until your taskbar becomes so cluttered that you can find nothing?